LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball is back on the road this weekend, playing at the Grand Canyon Purple Classic. Tournament play will get underway on Friday, Feb. 21, when the Aggies take on CSUN (7-3) at 2:30 p.m. and the host-Lopes (2-9) at 7 p.m.
The weekend will continue with two more games against the Matadors and Grand Canyon on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively. The Aggies will wrap things up on Sunday, Feb. 23, in a 9 a.m. game against Drake (5-5).
Tickets for the GCU Purple Classic can be purchased online through the Grand Canyon ticket office, or at the gate. Full-day passes for the tournament are $5. A video stream will be available for Utah State's games against Grand Canyon, and live stats will be provided for all five games. Social media coverage will also be available for each of Utah State's games during the weekend.
CSUN enters the weekend with a 7-3 overall record, having gone 4-1 last week at the Libby Matson Classic. Senior infielder Jessica Alexander leads the Matadors at the plate, hitting .406 (13-of-32), including a team-best three home runs. As a team, CSUN is hitting .292 (77-of-264). The team has utilized five pitchers, combining for a 3.61 ERA. Junior Kenedee Jamerson has pitched the majority of innings, allowing 47 hits while striking out 19 batters. Tairia Flowers is in her 10th season as the head coach at CSUN, where she has an all-time record of 250-258. As former Big West conference mates, Utah State and CSUN have a long history of competition, with the Matadors leading the series, 34-20. The two teams have not met since 2016, and CSUN has won the last six contests.
Grand Canyon has a 2-9 record, posting one win in each of the first two weekends. Freshman utility Mickey Covarrubio is the leading batter for the 'Lopes this season, as she is hitting .394 (13-of-33) over the first 11 games. Overall, GCU is hitting .241 (70-of-291). Four pitchers have seen time in the circle for Grand Canyon, posting a combined ERA of 4.33. Junior Yessie Morrison leads the group with a 2.80 ERA, while junior Lexy Coons has earned both of the team's wins. Ann Pierson is in her 17th season at the Helm of the Grand Canyon program, where she has an overall record of 465-378-3. The Aggies and 'Lopes have met just twice in program history, both wins for GCU.
Drake makes the trip west with a 5-5 record, coming off a 2-3 weekend at Stanford. The Bulldog offense is led by junior outfielder Macy Johnson, who is hitting .433 (13-of-30) on the year. At .301 (78-of-259), Drake has the highest team batting average of all teams playing in the Purple Classic. The Bulldogs have utilized three pitchers this season, posting an overall ERA of 4.36. Junior Nicole Timmons leads the trio with a 0.78 ERA in 27 innings of work, adding 33 strikeouts. Rich Calvert has been the head coach at Drake for 19 seasons, compiling an overall record of 506-420. The Aggies and Bulldogs have met just once previously, playing in Tucson, Ariz. in 2013, where the Bulldogs took the win.
The Aggies are led by freshman outfielder Mazie Macfarlane, who is hitting .419 (13-of-31), including three doubles and one home run. As a team, Utah State is hitting .264 (71-of-269), including a Mountain West-best 20 doubles. Four USU pitchers have seen time in the circle, with sophomore Kapri Toone leading the group with a 0.42 ERA and a 2-0 record. In all, the Aggie pitching staff has a 3.55 ERA, allowing 68 hits and 33 earned runs.
Fans can follow the Aggie softball program on Twitter, @USUSoftball, on Facebook at /USUSoftball or on Instagram, @ususoftball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
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